Alonsa Explained

Alonsa is an unincorporated community recognized as a local urban district[1] located in north central Manitoba in the Rural Municipality of Alonsa.

History

Alonsa grew in the early 1900s with the coming of the railroad. The rail line was never extended beyond Alonsa and in 1961, the rail service ended. With the loss of the rail service, the population began to drop. The area is accessible now by Provincial Trunk Highway 50.

On August 3, 2018, Alonsa was struck by an EF4 tornado, which killed one person, tossed vehicles and trailers, and ripped a home from its foundation. It was the strongest tornado of 2018, and the first violent (EF4 or EF5) tornado in Canada since the 2007 Elie, Manitoba tornado.[2]

Recreation and attractions

Lake Manitoba is one of the largest attractions near Alonsa. The community attracts tourists headed to the lake for fishing or swimming.

The Alex Robertson Museum[3] in Alonsa has a large collection of antique firearms and pioneer artifacts which is open to the public on Sundays and by appointment.

References

50.7989°N -98.9744°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Local Urban Districts Regulation . Government of Manitoba . April 23, 2016 . April 24, 2016.
  2. News: 'It failed him': Lack of cell service left man killed in Alonsa tornado with no warning, grandson says . . 2018-08-07 . 2018-09-10.
  3. Manitoba Historical Society Alex Robertson Museum Historic Sites of Manitoba: Alex Robertson Museum / Alonsa War Memorial / Alonsa School No. 1920 (Alonsa, RM of Alonsa), Retrieved February 22, 2015